Coupled-inductor power-supply controller for operating a power supply in a reduced-power-dissipation mode

ABSTRACT

An embodiment of a power-supply controller includes first and second circuits. The first circuit is operable to cause a first current to flow through a first phase of a power supply. And the second circuit is operable to cause the second phase of the power supply to operate in a reduced-power-dissipation mode for at least a portion of a time period during which a second current magnetically induced by the first current flows through the second phase.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/651,985, filed Jan. 4, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,755,520, which application is a continuation in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/259,220, filed Oct. 27, 2008, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,786,711, which application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/519,516 filed Sep. 12, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,443,146, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/747,945, filed May 23, 2006.

BACKGROUND

A power supply may convert an input voltage having a first set of characteristics into an output voltage having another set of characteristics. For example, a power supply may convert 110 VAC from a power outlet into 9 VDC for powering or recharging the battery of a cell phone.

A DC-DC converter is a type of power supply that is widely used to supply DC power to electronic devices, such as computers, printers, and the like, and that is available in a variety of configurations for deriving a regulated DC output voltage from a DC source of input voltage. As a non-limiting example, a buck-mode or step-down DC-DC converter generates a regulated DC output voltage whose value is less than the value of the DC source voltage. A step-down DC-DC converter may include one or more power channels or phases, the outputs of which are combined at an output node for delivering a regulated stepped-down DC output voltage to a load. Each phase includes power switches and a current-flow path that includes a filter inductor. The power switches are, for example, controllably switched by a pulse-width modulation (PWM) signal produced by a PWM modulator to switchably connect a DC source voltage to one end of the filter inductor, a second end of which is connected to the output node. Alternatively, the power switches may be controllably switched by constant-on-time pulses, constant-off-time pulses, or other types of pulses.

In addition to regulator implementations which have no mutual magnetic coupling among the filter inductors, there are regulator configurations which provide magnetic coupling among the filter inductors. These ‘coupled-inductor’ DC-DC converters have become increasingly attractive for supplying power to portable electronic devices, such as, but not limited to, notebook computers, and the like, which may operate in a discontinuous current mode (DCM) during low or relatively light load (e.g., quiescent or ‘sleep’ mode) conditions to reduce power loss and preserve battery life. For DCM operation, the upper and lower MOSFETs of at least one respective power switching stage of the converter are turned off for part of the switching period, preventing polarity reversal of the inductor current, so that the inductor current is zero during part of the switching period, i.e. it is discontinuous, rather than a continuous, thereby reducing current to the output to accommodate the relatively light current demand during such low-load conditions.

A non-limiting example of a conventional dual-phase, coupled-inductor buck-mode regulator or DC-DC converter, in which the filter inductors of the respective phases are mutually coupled with one another, is diagrammatically illustrated in FIG. 1. The dual-phase regulator of FIG. 1 comprises two phases that produce respective output currents i_(L1) and i_(L2), which flow from phase nodes 115 and 215 of respective phases 110 and 210 through respective filter inductors L1 and L2, which are mutually coupled with one another, such that a current magnetically induced in one phase by a switched or driven current flowing in the other stage flows in the same direction (from the phase node into the output node OUT) as the driven (inducing) current. These two currents are summed at an output node OUT to produce a composite or total output current I_(total). Output node OUT provides a regulated output voltage Vo for powering a device LOAD, such as the microprocessor of a notebook computer, through which a load current i_(o) flows.

In order to regulate the output voltage Vo, the voltage at the output node OUT is fed back to an error amplifier (EA) 310, which is operative to compare the monitored output voltage Vo with a reference voltage VID. The voltage-difference output Comp of the error amplifier 310 is supplied to a power-supply controller 315. For example, the controller 315 is operable to control the pulse widths of associated streams of pulse-width-modulation (PWM) waveforms that are applied by respective PWM generators within the controller to driver circuits, the outputs of which are coupled to the gates of, and control the on/off switching times of, the upper and lower switching devices (MOSFETs Q11/Q21 and MOSFETs Q12/Q22) of the phases 110 and 210. In an example application, the PWM waveforms are sequenced and timed such that the interval between rising edges (or in some implementations, falling edges) thereof is constant to substantially equalize the output currents i_(L1) and i_(L2) of the two power channels.

In addition to monitoring the output voltage Vo, error amplifier 310 may also monitor the sum of the phase currents i_(L1)+i_(L2) via respective sense resistors Rsn1 and Rsn2, which are coupled between the phase nodes 115 and 215 and a first, non-inverting (+) input 321 of a (K gain) transconductance amplifier 320. Amplifier 320 has a second, inverting (−) input 322 coupled to the output node OUT, and a sense capacitor Csns connected across its inputs. The amplifier 320 allows the sum of the phase currents to be used to regulate the output resistance of the power supply according to a technique commonly known as droop regulation or load-line regulation. The voltage output Vdroop of the amplifier 320 is coupled to a first input 331 of a summer 330, a second input 332 of which is coupled to the output node OUT. The Vdroop voltage output (which is typically negative) of amplifier 320 is added to the output voltage Vo to provide a difference voltage Vdiff that is coupled to a first, inverting (−) input 311 of error amplifier 310. The second, non-inverting (+) input 312 of error amplifier 310 is coupled to receive the reference voltage VID. As described above, the output voltage Comp of error amplifier 310 is used by the controller 315 to control the pulse widths of the PWM waveforms that control the on/off switching of the upper and low MOSFETs of the phases 110 and 210.

Examples of these PWM waveforms are shown in FIG. 2 as including a first PWM waveform PH1, which is used to control the on/off switching of the upper MOSFET switch Q11 of the first phase 110, and a second PWM waveform PH2, which is used to control the on/off switching of the upper MOSFET switch Q21 of the second phase 210. For balanced-phase operation, the frequencies of the two PWM waveforms are substantially the same and the times of occurrence of the turn-on pulses Q11-ON of the first PWM waveform PH1 are midway between the times of occurrence of the turn-on pulses Q21-ON of the second PWM waveform PH2, and vice versa. That is, the turn-on pulses Q11-ON are spaced approximately 360°/N=180° from the turn-on pulses Q21-ON, where N=2=the number of power-supply phases. During the intervals that the pulses of the waveforms PH1 and PH2 are high, MOSFETs Q11 and Q21 are turned on thereby, so that increasing or ramping up segments i_(L1-1) and i_(L2-1) of respective currents i_(L1) and i_(L2) flow therethrough and, via phase nodes 115 and 215, through mutually coupled inductors L1 and L2 to the output node OUT.

As further shown in FIG. 2, when the turn-on pulse Q11-ON of the PWM waveform PH 1 goes low, a PWM waveform V_(GS_Q12), which is used to control the on/off switching of the lower MOSFET switch Q12 of the first phase 110, transitions high for a prescribed period Q12-ON, corresponding to the pulse-width interval of PWM waveform V_(GS_Q12). With MOSFET switch Q12 turned on during this interval, the inductor current i_(L1) of the first channel gradually decreases or ramps down to zero from its peak value at the end of the duration of the turn-on pulse Q11-ON of PWM waveform PH1, as shown at i_(L1-2). The ramping down portion i_(L1-2) of the output current i_(L1) is supplied by a portion i_(S12-1) of a current i_(S12) that flows from ground through the source-drain path of the active MOSFET Q12 to phase node 115 and into the inductor L1.

In a like manner, when the turn-on pulse Q21-ON of the PWM waveform PH2 goes low, a PWM waveform V_(GS_Q22), which is used to control the on/off switching of the lower MOSFET switch Q22 of the second phase 210, transitions high for a prescribed period Q22-ON corresponding to the pulse-width interval of PWM waveform V_(GS_Q22). With MOSFET switch Q22 turned on during this interval, the inductor current i_(L2) of the second phase gradually ramps down to zero from its peak value at the end of the duration of the turn-on pulse Q21-ON of PWM waveform PH2, as shown at i_(L2-2). The ramping down portion i_(L2-2) of the output current i_(L2) is supplied by a portion i_(S22-1) of a current i_(S22) that flows from ground through the source-drain path of the active MOSFET Q22 to phase node 215 and into the inductor L2.

As pointed out above, because the inductor L1 of the phase 110 is mutually coupled with the inductor L2 of the phase 210, the current i_(L1) driven through inductor L1 as a result of the successive PWM-controlled turn on of the MOSFETs Q11 and Q12 magnetically induces a current in the inductor L2 of the second phase, shown in the current waveform i_(L2) of FIG. 2 as induced current i_(L2-3). Because the upper MOSFET Q21 of the second phase is off during this time (PH2 is low), and the polarity of its inherent body-diode is oriented so as to inherently block the flow of current therethrough from the input voltage supply rail Vin to phase node 215, no current is drawn through the upper MOSFET Q21 to supply the induced current i_(L2-3). MOSFET Q22 of the second phase is also off at this time, since its switching PWM waveform V_(GS_Q22) is low. However, the orientation of its body-diode allows the flow of a current i_(S22-2) from ground and through this body-diode as a body-diode current i_(Q22) to phase node 215 and into inductor L2 as the induced current i_(L2-3).

In like manner, the current i_(L2) through inductor L2 that results from the successive PWM-controlled turn on of the MOSFETs Q21 and Q22 magnetically induces a current in the inductor L1 of the first phase, shown in the current waveform i_(L1) of FIG. 2 as induced current i_(L1-3). Because the upper MOSFET Q11 of the first phase is off and the polarity of its inherent body-diode is oriented so as to inherently block the flow of current therethrough from the input voltage supply rail Vin, no current is drawn through the upper MOSFET Q11 to provide the induced current i_(L1-3). However, even though the lower MOSFET Q12 of the first phase is off because its switching PWM waveform V_(GS_Q12) is low, the polarity orientation of its body-diode is such as to allow the flow of a current i_(S12-2) from ground and through the body-diode as a body-diode current i_(D12) to phase node 115 and into inductor L1 as the induced current i_(L1-3).

Unfortunately, because the two induced currents i_(L1-3) and i_(L2-3) are supplied by way of respective currents i_(Q12) and i_(Q22) through the body diodes of lower MOSFETs Q12 and Q22, these induced currents may cause significant conduction losses in these MOSFETs.

SUMMARY

An embodiment of a power-supply controller includes first and second circuits. The first circuit is operable to cause a first current to flow through a first phase of a power supply. And the second circuit is operable to cause the second phase of the power supply to operate in a reduced-power-dissipation mode for at least a portion of a time period during which a second current magnetically induced by the first current flows through the second phase. For example, the second circuit may cause the second phase to operate in a reduced-power-dissipation mode by bypassing a diode (e.g., a standalone circulation diode or the inherent diode of a circulation transistor) of the second phase with a switch or other low-impedance path, or by activating the circulation transistor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 diagrammatically illustrates the overall circuit architecture of a non-limiting example of a conventional dual-phase, coupled inductor, buck-mode regulator, in which the filter inductors of the regulator's phases are mutually coupled with one another;

FIG. 2 shows waveform diagrams associated with DCM operation of the conventional dual-phase, buck-mode regulator of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a reduced complexity, diagrammatic illustration of a first embodiment of a buck-mode regulator for the case of dual-phase DCM operation;

FIG. 4 shows waveform diagrams associated with DCM operation of the dual-phase, buck-mode regulator of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a reduced complexity, diagrammatic illustration of a second embodiment of a buck-mode regulator for the case of single-phase DCM operation;

FIG. 6 shows waveform diagrams associated with the single-phase DCM operation of the buck-mode regulator of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a reduced complexity, diagrammatic illustration of a third embodiment of a buck-mode regulator for the case of a single-phase CCM (continuous mode) operation;

FIG. 8 shows waveform diagrams associated with the single-phase CCM operation of the buck-mode regulator of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a reduced complexity, diagrammatic illustration of a fourth embodiment of a buck-mode regulator.

FIG. 10 is a reduced complexity, diagrammatic illustration of a fifth embodiment of a buck-mode regulator.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In general, in an embodiment, the functionality of a regulator's controller is augmented, such that the waveforms it produces to control the on/off switching of the low-side MOSFETs of the power-supply phases include auxiliary pulse signals having widths that at least partially coincide with the durations of the induced currents in the phases. As a result, rather than flowing as respective body-diode currents through the body-diodes of the low-side MOSFETs, the induced currents flow instead, at least part of the time, through the turned-on low-side MOSFETs, or through other lower-impedance bypass paths, thereby reducing or eliminating conduction losses in their body-diodes.

Attention is initially directed to FIG. 3 which is a reduced complexity, diagrammatic illustration of a first embodiment for the case of a dual-phase, discontinuous conduction mode (DCM) operation of a buck-mode type of regulator, and to FIG. 4, which shows a set of waveform diagrams associated with the operation of FIG. 3. More particularly, the circuit architecture diagram of FIG. 3 shows two phases that may be similar to the phases of the regulator architecture of FIG. 1, but omits an illustration of the feedback connections to the controller, to simplify the drawing.

Instead, the augmentation of the functionality of the supervisory controller is represented in FIG. 3 by a pair of OR gate functions OR-100 and OR-200, that are employed by the power-supply controller to insert additional or auxiliary on-time pulse-width portions into the respective switching waveforms V_(GS_Q12) and V_(GS_Q22) (PWM waveforms in this embodiment), and are effective to turn on the low-side MOSFETs Q12 and Q22 of respective phases 110 and 210 at times that at least partially coincide with the durations of the induced currents in the filter inductors L1 and L2. Although shown as OR gates, the OR gate functions OR-100 and OR-200 may be implemented with any other suitable circuitry.

To this end, the OR gate function OR-100 for phase 110 has a first input coupled to monitor the turning-off of the upper switching MOSFET Q11, which occurs at a high-to-low transition of the pulse Q11-ON of PWM waveform PH1, and a second input coupled to monitor the turning-on of the upper switching MOSFET Q21 of the opposite phase 210, which occurs at a low-to-high transition of the pulse Q21-ON of PWM waveform PH2. When either of these events occurs, the PWM waveform V_(GS_Q12), which is used to control the on/off switching of lower switching MOSFET switch Q12 of phase 110, transitions from low-to-high.

In particular, in response to a high-to-low transition of the pulse Q11-ON of PWM waveform PH1, the PWM waveform V_(GS_Q12) transitions from low-to-high for a first pulse width interval Q12-ON-1; in addition, in response to a low-to-high transition of the pulse Q21-ON of PWM waveform PH2, PWM waveform V_(GS_Q12) transitions from low-to-high for a second or auxiliary pulse width interval Q12-ON-2. As a consequence, both the ramping down portion i_(L1-2) of the driven, i.e., non-induced current (i_(L1-1)+i_(L1-2)) through inductor L1 and the entirety of the current i_(L1-3) induced therein by the non-induced current (i_(L2-1)+i_(L2-2)) flowing through inductor L2 will flow through the source-drain path of active lower MOSFET Q12. None of the induced current flowing through inductor L1 will flow as a body-diode current iQ12 through the body-diode of MOSFET Q12, so as to eliminate an associated conduction loss in the body-diode of MOSFET Q12. To control the turn-off of the lower MOSFET switch Q12, its source-drain current i_(S12) is monitored by conventional current monitoring circuitry, examples of which are disclosed in U.S. application Ser. No. 12/189,112, which is incorporated by reference. Whenever the source-drain current i_(S12) goes to zero, the PWM waveform V GS_Q12 transitions from high-to-low, so that the lower MOSFET switch Q12 is turned off. This prevents a reverse current from flowing from the LOAD or from the filter capacitors back through the first phase 110.

In a similar manner, the OR gate function OR-200 for phase 210 has a first input coupled to monitor the turning-off of the upper switching MOSFET Q21, which occurs at a high-to-low transition of the pulse Q21-ON of PWM waveform PH2, and a second input coupled to monitor the turning-on of the upper switching MOSFET Q11 of the opposite power switching stage 110, which occurs at a low-to-high transition of the pulse Q11-ON of PWM waveform PH1. When either of these events occurs, the PWM waveform V_(GS_Q22), which is used to control the on/off switching of the lower switching MOSFET switch Q22 of the phase 210, transitions from low-to-high.

More particularly, in response to a high-to-low transition of the pulse Q21-ON of PWM waveform PH2, the PWM waveform V_(GS_Q22) transitions from low-to-high for a first pulse width interval Q22-ON-1; in addition, in response to a low-to-high transition of the pulse Q11-ON of PWM waveform PH1, PWM waveform V_(GS_Q22) transitions from low-to-high for a second or auxiliary pulse width interval Q22-ON-2. As a consequence, both the ramping down portion i_(L2-2) of the non-induced current (i_(L2-1)+i_(L2-2)) through inductor L2 and the entirety of the current i_(L2-3) induced therein by the non-induced current (i_(L1-1)+i_(L1-2)) flowing through inductor L1 will flow through the source-drain path of active lower MOSFET Q22. None of the induced current flowing through inductor L2 will flow as a body-diode current i_(D22) through the body-diode of MOSFET Q22, so as to eliminate an associated conduction loss in the body-diode of MOSFET Q22. To control the turn-off of the lower MOSFET switch Q22, its source-drain current i_(S22) is monitored by conventional monitoring circuitry. Whenever the source-drain current i_(S22) goes to zero, the PWM waveform V_(GS_Q22) transitions from high-to-low, so that the lower MOSFET switch Q22 is turned off.

Still referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, alternate embodiments are contemplated. For example, the power-supply controller may not activate the low-side MOSFET Q22 for the entire duration of the induced current I_(L2-3) through the inductor L2, thus reducing, but not eliminating, the time during which an induced current flows through the body diode of Q22. This may be due to an inherent or intentional circuit delay that prevents Q22 from turning on until a delay time after Q11 turns on. Or, this may be due to the power-supply controller inactivating Q22 in response to I_(L2-2) being below a threshold voltage that is greater than zero, such that Q22 is off for a period of time before I_(L2-3) becomes equal to zero. In another embodiment, the power supply controller may activate Q22 for longer than the duration of I_(L2-3). In yet another embodiment, the power supply controller may activate Q22 before the start of the I_(L2-3) duration and inactivate Q22 before the end of the I_(L2-3) duration, or may activate Q22 after the start of the I_(L2-3) duration and inactivate Q22 after the end of I_(L2-3) duration. In another embodiment, the power supply controller may only partially activate Q22 such that is not full on, but is sufficiently on to bypass its body diode. Similar alternate embodiments are contemplated for the low-side MOSFET Q12, for example, such that the power-supply controller may not activate the low-side MOSFET Q12 for the entire duration of the induced current I_(L1-3) through the inductor L1, thus reducing, but not eliminating, the time during which an induced current flows through the body diode of Q12. Consequently, in such alternate embodiments, the conduction losses in the body-diodes of the MOSFETS Q12 and Q22 may be reduced but not eliminated. Furthermore, although shown as a two-phase buck converter, the power supply of FIG. 3 may have more than two phases and may be other than a buck converter. Moreover, where the power supply has more than two phases, then at least one of the phases may be magnetically uncoupled from the other phases, or the phases may be grouped such that each phase may be magnetically coupled to the other phases within its group but magnetically uncoupled from phases outside of its group. In addition, although shown coupled to ground, the low-side transistors Q12 and Q22 (and also the filter capacitors and the load) may be coupled to a negative input voltage. Furthermore, instead of sourcing current to the LOAD, one may modify the power supply to sink current from the LOAD, in which case the transistors Q11 and Q21 may be the circulation transistors, and at least some of the transistors Q11, Q12, Q21, and Q22 may be replaced with PMOS transistors. Also, instead of being a PWM controller, the controller may be a constant-on-time, constant-off-time, or another type of controller.

The circuit architecture diagram of FIG. 5 and its associated set of waveforms shown in FIG. 6 correspond to the case of providing normal PWM switching signals for only one of the power-supply phases—phase 110 in this embodiment—of the dual-phase discontinuous conduction mode converter described above in conjunction with FIGS. 3 and 4. In this second embodiment, there is no PH2 pulse for turning on the upper MOSFET switch Q21 of the phase 210. As such, the inputs to OR gate functions OR-100 and OR-200 associated with the turn-on and turn-off of MOSFET Q21 are zero. Moreover, since there is no PH2 pulse that initiates the flow of a non-induced current IL2 through the inductor L2, the PWM waveform V_(GS_Q22) does not transition from low-to-high for a prescribed duration Q22-ON-1 associated with the ramp down of a (non-existent) non-induced portion of current i_(L2) through the inductor L2 at the end of the (non-existent) PH2 pulse (since there is no non-induced current i_(L2) flowing through inductor L2 to begin with). As a consequence, the PWM waveform V_(GS_Q12) for lower MOSFET switch Q12 of the phase 110 does not require an auxiliary pulse-width portion (shown at Q12-ON-2 in FIG. 4), to turn on the lower MOSFET switch Q12 of phase 210 to accommodate an (nonexistent) induced current through inductor L1.

However, in this second, single-active-phase DCM embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6, there is an induced current i_(L2-3) that flows through the inductor L2 of the power-supply phase 210, as a result of the flow of the non-induced current i_(L1) through inductor L1 during the normal operation of the upper and lower MOSFETS Q11 and Q12 of the phase 110. To prevent this induced current i_(L2-3) from being supplied by way of the body-diode of the lower MOSFET Q22 of the phase 210, the pulse-width portion Q22-ON-2 of the PWM waveform V_(GS_Q22) of the first, dual-active-phase DCM embodiment FIGS. 3 and 4 is used in this second, single-active-phase DCM embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6 to turn on, and to provide for the flow of source-drain current i_(S22) through, the active lower MOSFET Q22 while the induced current i_(L2-3) flows in the second phase 210. The time of occurrence and duration of the pulse width Q22-ON-2 of PWM waveform V_(GS_Q22) may be the same as the time of occurrence and duration of the induced current i_(L2-3), as in the first embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4. As a result, as in the first embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4, all of the induced current (i_(L2-3)=i_(S22-2)) flowing through inductor L2 will flow through turned-on low side MOSFET Q22, rather than through its body-diode as a body-diode current iQ22, so as to eliminate an associated conduction loss in the body-diode of MOSFET Q22.

Alternate embodiments similar to at least some of those discussed above in conjunction with FIGS. 3 and 4 are contemplated for the circuitry and techniques of FIGS. 5 and 6. For example, the power-supply controller may not activate the low-side MOSFET Q22 for the entire duration of the induced current I_(L2-3) through the inductor L2, thus reducing, but not eliminating, the time during which an induced current flows through the body diode of Q22. Consequently, in such alternate embodiments, the conduction loss in the body-diode of MOSFET Q22 may be reduced but not eliminated.

FIG. 7 is a reduced complexity, diagrammatic illustration of a third embodiment for the case of a single-active-phase CCM operation of the buck-mode regulator, while FIG. 8 shows a set of waveform diagrams associated with the operation of the circuit architecture of FIG. 7. For CCM single-active-phase operation, the upper and lower MOSFETs Q11 and Q12 of the power-supply phase 110 are turned on and off in a complementary manner, so that a conductive path for current flow through the inductor L1 and one or the other of the respective terminals (Vin and ground) of the input power supply will be continuously provided through one or the other of these MOSFETs. Thus, the inductor current i_(L1) through the filter inductor L1 is repetitively ramped up and down between positive and negative peaks thereof, as the complementary PWM waveforms PH1 and V_(GS_Q12) alternately turn MOSFETs Q11 and Q12 on and off, as shown in the waveform diagram of FIG. 8.

Similar to the diagrammatic illustrations of the respective dual-active-phase and single-active-phase DCM embodiments of FIGS. 3 and 5, the circuit architecture diagram of FIG. 7 is substantially the same as the DCM buck-mode regulator of FIGS. 3 and 5, but lacks an illustration of the feedback connections (e.g., FIG. 1) to the power-supply controller to simplify the drawing. Instead, as in the circuit architecture diagrams of FIGS. 3 and 5, FIG. 7 shows a control diagram representative of the control function that is executed by the power-supply controller, to control the turn-on and turn-off times of the high-side MOSFET Q11 and the low-side MOSFET Q12 of the phase 110 by respective PWM complementary switching waveforms PH1 and V_(GS_Q12), as well as the OR gate function OR-200 that is used to control auxiliary turn-on and turn-off times of the low side MOSFET Q22 of the inactive phase 210, in accordance with PWM waveform V_(GS_Q22), at times that coincide with the durations of currents magnetically induced in the inductor L2 of the phase 210.

More particularly, as in the single-active-phase DCM regulator embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6, in the single-active-phase CCM regulator embodiment of FIGS. 7 and 8, there is no PH2 pulse for turning on the upper MOSFET switch Q21 of the phase 210. As such, the input to OR-gate function OR-200 associated with the turn-off of MOSFET Q21 is zero. Moreover, since there is no PH2 pulse that initiates the flow of a non-induced current I_(L2) through the inductor L2, the PWM waveform V_(GS_Q22) does not transition from low-to-high for a prescribed duration Q22-ON-1 associated with the ramp down of a (nonexistent) non-induced portion of current i_(L2) through the inductor L2 at the end of the (non-existent) PH2 pulse (since there is no non-induced current i_(L2) flowing through inductor L2 to begin with). As a consequence, the PWM waveform V_(GS_Q12) for the lower MOSFET switch Q12 of power switching stage 110 does not require an auxiliary pulse-width portion (shown at Q12-ON-2 in FIG. 4), to turn on the lower MOSFET switch Q12 of the phase 210 to accommodate a (non-existent) induced current through inductor L1.

However, as in the single-active-phase DCM embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6, there is an induced current i_(L2-3) that flows through the inductor L2 as a result of the flow of the non-induced current i_(L1) through inductor L1 during the normal operation of the upper and lower MOSFETS Q11 and Q12 of phase 110. To prevent this induced current i_(L2-3) from being supplied by way of the body-diode of the lower MOS FET Q22 of the phase 210, the pulse-width portion Q22-ON-2 of the PWM waveform V_(GS_Q22) of FIG. 4 is again used to turn on and provide for the flow of source-drain current i_(S22) through the active lower MOSFET Q22 for the duration of the induced current i_(L2-3). The time of occurrence and duration of the pulse width Q22-ON-2 of PWM waveform V_(GS_Q22) is substantially the same as the time of occurrence and duration of the induced current i_(L2-3), as in the embodiments of FIGS. 3-6. As a result, as in the embodiments of FIGS. 3-6, all of the induced current (i_(L2-3)=i_(S22-2)) flowing through inductor L2 will flow through turned-on low side MOSFET Q22, rather than through its body-diode as a body-diode current iQ22, eliminating conduction loss in the body-diode of MOSFET Q22.

Alternate embodiments similar to at least some of those discussed above in conjunction with FIGS. 3-6 are contemplated for the circuitry and techniques described in conjunction with FIGS. 7 and 8. For example, the power-supply controller may not activate the low-side MOSFET Q22 for the entire duration of the induced current I_(L2-3) through the inductor L2, thus reducing, but not eliminating, the time during which an induced current flows through the body diode of Q22. Consequently, in such alternate embodiments, the conduction loss in the body-diode of MOSFET Q22 may be reduced but not eliminated.

FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic illustration of another embodiment of a multistage coupled-inductor buck converter, where like numbers are used to reference like components relative to FIGS. 1-8.

In addition to the N phases 110, 210, . . . , and N10, the buck converter includes a power-supply controller 400, current sensors 402 ₁-402 _(N), and a filter capacitor 404. The current sensors 402 ₁-402 _(N) may be conventional, such as disclosed in U.S. application Ser. No. 12/189,112, which is incorporated by reference.

A difference between the embodiments of FIGS. 3-8 and the embodiment of FIG. 9 is that the embodiment of FIG. 9 uses current sensors 402 instead of or in addition to an OR logic function to determine when to switch on and off the low-side, i.e., circulating transistors Q12-ON2.

For example, the controller 400 may activate Q12 for the entire time during which the sensor 402 ₁ senses a forward current (i.e., in this embodiment, a current flowing toward the load) flowing in the phase 110 while Q11 is open, or for any portion of this time. This allows an induced or a decaying non-induced current to flow through the active transistor Q12 instead of through the body diode of the inactive transistor Q12, and thus allows a reduction in the conduction losses in the transistor Q12.

Because a reverse phase current (i.e., in this embodiment, a current flowing away from the load) may be undesirable because it discharges the filter capacitor 404, the controller 400 may turn off Q12 in response to sensing a zero current, a reverse current, or a forward current below a predetermined threshold flowing through phase 110 while the transistor Q11 is open.

In another embodiment, the controller 400 may turn off Q12 in response to sensing a zero current, a reverse current, or a forward current below a predetermined threshold flowing through a phase other than the phase 110 while the transistor Q11 is open. For example, the controller 400 may turn off Q12 while Q11 is open in response to sensing a zero current, a reverse current, or a forward current below a predetermined threshold in each of the other phases 210-N10. The reasoning behind this is that when no forward currents are flowing through the other phases 210-N10, then no current is magnetically induced in the phase 110.

The controller 400 may control the circulation transistors Q22-QN2 in a similar manner.

Alternate embodiments of the power supply of FIG. 9 are contemplated. For example, embodiments similar to at least some of those discussed above in conjunction with FIGS. 3-8 are contemplated. In addition, although described as being coupled to a negative supply Vss, the low-side transistors Q12-QN2 may be coupled to ground, or to any other voltage lower than Vin.

FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic illustration of another embodiment of a multistage coupled-inductor buck converter, where like numbers are used to reference like components relative to FIGS. 1-9.

This embodiment is similar to that of FIG. 9, except that each phase 110, 210, . . . , N10 respectively includes a shunt transistor Q13-QN3 that is coupled in parallel with a respective low-side transistor Q12-QN2 but that receives a separate gate-drive signal from the controller 400.

Therefore, to allow an induced or decaying current flowing in the phase 110 to bypass the body diode of the low-side transistor Q12, instead of activating Q12, the controller 400 may activate the transistor Q13. Or, the controller 400 may simultaneously activate both the transistors Q12 and Q13 to further lower the conduction losses caused by a decaying or induced current flowing in phase 110—in this latter embodiment, the gates of the transistors Q12 and Q13 may receive the same drive signal from the controller 400. Of course the controller 400 deactivates the transistor Q13 while the high-side transistor Q11 is closed.

The controller 400 may operate the shunt transistors Q23-QN3 in a similar manner.

Shunt transistors similar to the shunt transistors Q13-QN3 may also be included in the embodiments of FIGS. 3-8.

Still referring to FIG. 10, alternate embodiments are contemplated. For example, at least some of the alternate embodiments contemplated for the circuitry and techniques disclosed above in conjunction with FIGS. 3-9 are also contemplated for the embodiment of FIG. 10. Furthermore, each phase may have more than one shunt transistor coupled in parallel with the low-side transistor, or may have one or more shunt transistors coupled in parallel with the high-side transistor (to lower the on resistances of the high-side transistors). Moreover, fewer than all of the phases may include a shunt transistor.

As will be appreciated from the foregoing description, the problem of body-diode conduction loss in a coupled-inductor DC-DC converter may be successfully reduced or eliminated, by incorporating into the MOSFET switching control waveforms, through which the regulator's controller controls on/off switching of the low-side (or shunt) MOSFETs of the multiple power stages, having auxiliary on-time pulse width portions that at least partially coincide with the durations of the induced currents in the power-supply phases. As a result, rather than being forced to flow as respective body-diode currents through the body-diodes of the MOSFETs for their entire duration, the induced currents (or at least portions thereof) will flow through the turned-on MOSFETS (or shunt MOSFETS) themselves for at least part of their durations, thereby reducing or eliminating conduction losses in the low-side-transistor body-diodes.

While several embodiments are described, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited thereto but is susceptible to numerous changes and modifications, and we therefore do not wish to be limited to the details shown and described herein, but intend to cover all such changes and modifications. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A power-supply controller, comprising: a first circuit operable to cause a first current to flow through a first phase of a power supply; and a second circuit operable to cause the second phase of the power supply to operate in a reduced-power-dissipation mode for at least a portion of a time period during which a second current magnetically induced by the first current flows through the second phase, wherein the second circuit is further operable to sense the conditions of a current flowing in the first phase, and a current flowing in the second phase while a supply-side switch of the second phase is open, wherein the second circuit is further operable to cause the second phase to operate in the reduced-power-dissipation mode in response to sensing both of the conditions.
 2. The power-supply controller of claim 1 wherein the second circuit is further operable to cause the second phase to exit the reduced-power-dissipation mode in response to the second current having a magnitude that is below a threshold.
 3. The power-supply controller of claim 1 wherein the second circuit is further operable to cause the second phase to exit the reduced-power-dissipation mode in response to the second current having a reversed polarity.
 4. The power-supply controller of claim 1 wherein the second circuit is further operable to cause the second phase to exit the reduced-power-dissipation mode in response to the second current substantially equaling zero.
 5. The power-supply controller of claim 1 wherein the second circuit is further operable to cause the second phase to exit the reduced-power-dissipation mode in response to the first current having a magnitude that is below a threshold.
 6. The power-supply controller of claim 1 wherein the second circuit is further operable to cause the second phase to exit the reduced-power-dissipation mode in response to the first current having a reversed polarity.
 7. The power-supply controller of claim 1 wherein the second circuit is further operable to cause the second phase to exit the reduced-power-dissipation mode in response to the first current substantially equaling zero.
 8. A power-supply controller, comprising: a first circuit operable to open and close a first drive element of a first power-supply phase; a second circuit operable to bypass and un-bypass a second circulation element of a second power-supply phase that is magnetically coupled to the first power-supply phase; and a third circuit operable to cause the second circuit to bypass the second circulation element for at least a portion of a time during which the first drive element is closed, wherein the third circuit is operable to cause the second circuit to un-bypass the second circulation element in response to at least one of: a magnitude of current below a threshold flowing through the second power-supply phase; a reverse current flowing through the second power-supply phase; a magnitude of current below a threshold flowing through the first power-supply phase; or a reverse current flowing through the first power-supply phase.
 9. The power-supply controller of claim 8, wherein: the first circuit is operable to bypass and un-bypass a first circulation element of the first power-supply phase; the second circuit is operable to open and close a second drive element of the second power-supply phase; and the third circuit is operable to cause the first circuit to bypass the first circulation element while the second drive element is closed.
 10. The power-supply controller of claim 9, wherein the third circuit is operable to cause the first circuit to bypass the first circulation element while the first drive element is open.
 11. The power-supply controller of claim 9, wherein the third circuit is operable to cause the first circuit to un-bypass the first circulation element while the first drive element is closed.
 12. The power-supply controller of claim 9, wherein the third circuit is operable to cause the first circuit to un-bypass the first circulation element in response to a magnitude of current below a threshold flowing through the first power-supply phase.
 13. The power-supply controller of claim 9, wherein the third circuit is operable to cause the first circuit to un-bypass the first circulation element in response to a reverse current flowing through the first power-supply phase.
 14. The power-supply controller of claim 9, wherein the third circuit is operable to cause the first circuit to un-bypass the first circulation element in response to a magnitude of current below a threshold flowing through the second power-supply phase.
 15. The power-supply controller of claim 9, wherein the third circuit is operable to cause the first circuit to un-bypass the first circulation element in response to a reverse current flowing through the second power-supply phase.
 16. A method, comprising: magnetically inducing a current in a first phase of a power supply; bypassing a circulation element of the first phase for at least a portion of a time period during which the current is being induced; wherein the induced current has a first polarity; sensing for detecting the presence of all of the conditions of: a current through the first phase having a second polarity that is opposite to the first polarity; a current through the first phase having a magnitude that is below a threshold; and a current through the first phase having a substantially zero magnitude, and un-bypassing the circulation element in response to any one of the sensed conditions being detected as being present.
 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising: magnetically inducing the current in the first phase by driving a current through a second phase of the power supply.
 18. A method, comprising: allowing a current to flow through a first power-supply phase that is magnetically coupled to a second power-supply phase; operating the second power-supply phase in a reduced-voltage-drop mode for at least a portion of a time period during which the current is flowing through the first phase; sensing for detecting the presence of all of the conditions of: a cessation of the flow of current through the first phase; a cessation of a flow of current through the second phase; a reversal of the flow of current through the first phase; and a reversal of a flow of current through the second phase; and ceasing operating the second phase in the reduced-voltage-drop mode in response to any one of the sensed conditions being detected as being present. 